In the quiet hills of Sabah, Malaysia, Ag Salriminsha’s story stands as a powerful reminder that the human spirit is stronger than circumstance. Once a thriving chef in Kuala Lumpur, Ag’s life changed dramatically following a severe accident and job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. But through the Maybank R.I.S.E. Programme, his determination found direction—proving how inclusive entrepreneurship and financial literacy can help individuals rebuild their lives and uplift others.

A Promising Start and an Unexpected Fall

Ag Salriminsha began his professional journey as a chef in Kuala Lumpur. Passionate about food and committed to honing his craft, he moved from Sabah to pursue opportunities in the city. Life was steady, and like many others, he dreamed of making it big in the culinary world.

But in 2019, everything changed.

The pandemic hit, and Ag was retrenched from his job. Left with no income and uncertain of what the future held, he returned to his hometown in Sabah. Hoping to remain productive while unemployed, he took up work at an orchard.

Tragically, while helping out, Ag fell from a tree—a 15-foot drop that left him with 13 fractured vertebrae. The injury paralysed the lower half of his body, requiring extensive hospitalisation and nearly a year of recovery.

From Hospital Bed to Entrepreneurial Hope

Even during his hospital stay, Ag never gave up. Motivated by his own resilience, he looked for ways to contribute meaningfully to society. While recovering, he began selling kuih-muih (traditional Malaysian snacks) and catering small orders from home.

However, the physical limitations of his new condition—and the lack of kitchen facilities—posed ongoing barriers. Without proper entrepreneurial knowledge or equipment, his business remained small-scale and inconsistent. But Ag wasn’t ready to quit.

His turning point came when he joined the Maybank R.I.S.E. Programme, a social impact programme under Maybank Foundation that provides entrepreneurship programmes for persons with disabilities. The programme is designed to promote inclusive entrepreneurship and financial empowerment through Maybank R.I.S.E., especially among PWDs and other marginalised communities across ASEAN.

Building a Business with Purpose

Through the Maybank R.I.S.E. training, Ag gained clarity, confidence, and practical knowledge to improve and scale his business.

Key Takeaways from R.I.S.E.:

  • Sales Personality Module: Ag learned how to use his outgoing nature to build rapport with potential customers—especially among patients, caretakers, and medical staff whom he met during his hospital stay.
  • Customer Analysis Module: He was trained to identify his ideal customers and understand their needs, allowing him to tailor his offerings more effectively.
  • Sales Strategies Module: Ag mapped out how to expand his business by using connections within the ParaSukma community—an athletic programme for persons with disabilities in Malaysia.
  • Financial Literacy Training: Through the Financial Management Module, he learned to separate personal and business finances, create a savings plan, and build working capital.

These tools helped him formalise his snack and catering business, putting him on the path to sustainable growth.

Real-Life Impact: What Changed After R.I.S.E.

Ag’s journey after R.I.S.E. was not just about money—it was about transformation.

Tangible Outcomes:

  • His income rose by 40.6% within three months—from RM475 to RM800.
  • He started a dedicated savings plan for personal and business use.
  • He restructured his business and now plans to fully launch it once his home kitchen renovations are complete.
  • He gained confidence and now mentors others with disabilities, sharing his entrepreneurial knowledge.

Personal Growth and Expanded Outlook:

  • Ag views his disability not as a limitation but as a platform to inspire.
  • He participates in ParaSukma, using the network to expand his brand reach and advocate for PWD empowerment.
  • Even while his business is temporarily on hold, he continues to engage and plan for a stronger comeback.
  • He consistently shares motivational insights with others, encouraging fellow PWDs to pursue their dreams regardless of circumstance.

Embracing Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Ag Salriminsha’s story is not just a success story from RISE participants—it’s a roadmap for turning adversity into opportunity. It also reflects the pillars of the Maybank R.I.S.E. messaging house:

  • Entrepreneurial Resilience: Ag refused to let his accident define his future.
  • Financial Inclusion: With better tools, Ag now actively manages and grows his income.
  • Community Upliftment: He shares knowledge and uplifts fellow PWDs.
  • Regional Impact: R.I.S.E. continues to create impact across ASEAN, one entrepreneur at a time.

Beyond his personal progress, Ag’s story reminds us that inclusive entrepreneurship is a powerful lever for social mobility. With the right training and tools, individuals from marginalised backgrounds can reclaim agency over their lives and create sustainable change.

Join the Movement for Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Ag’s journey is a testament to the impact of investing in sustainable small businesses and the value of community-based training.

Maybank Foundation’s R.I.S.E. Programme, delivered through a regional effort, is made possible by the commitment of organisations like People Systems Consultancy (PSC). As a leading implementer of social impact programmes in ASEAN, PSC designs and delivers capacity-building solutions that empower marginalised communities, especially women and PWDs.

We’re honoured to be part of Ag’s journey—and many more like his.

If you are a corporate, foundation, or government body looking to create meaningful, measurable social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship, we invite you to collaborate with us.

Let’s build more futures together.

🔗 Learn more about the Maybank R.I.S.E. Programme here.

🔗 Discover how PSC empowers communities across ASEAN through impact-driven solutions: https://www.peoplesystemsconsultancy.com